The best 5 cute houseplants for beginners (in 2021)
If you are looking for some plants to make your home or office feel a bit greener, this is your post! These 5 houseplants are easy to care for and extremely gorgeous. So keep reading to find them out and what their basic needs are!
1. Pothos and Scindapsus Pictus
These two different plants have very similar requirements, so I have included them in the same spot. To me, they are by far the most rewarding plants I have ever owned.
Pothos and Scindapsus thrive in bright indirect light. Although they can tolerate medium to low light conditions and they will still have new growth (the leaves may be smaller, they can lose some of their variegation and become a bit leggy, but the growth won´t stop). The soil should have some perlite so the water can drain and I don’t let it dry out completely.
One of the main reasons I find them so easy is that they tell you when they need to be watered. The leaves will start to curl a little when they are thirsty. But don’t worry, after a few hours since they have been watered, they will recover their natural form. This tip will help you to avoid both over and underwatering it.
Another plus is that there are TONS of different plants in these “families”. They can be variegated, dark green, or even neon green, so it´s nearly impossible that you don’t like at least one of them.
2. String of hearts
This gorgeous plan is one of my favorites. Its heart-shaped leaves have so much personality!
Like pothos, they also warn you when they need to be watered. They don’t use the same technique though.
As they have semi-succulent leaves, you can notice when they need to have a drink by touching them (as they lose their turgor when dried out).
Their soil should have a lot of perlite, so the water can drain properly, and you can add bark or something like that to make it airier.
For further information read this post where I explained the full care guide of this plant, and you will have the happiest and cutest String of Hearts ever.
3. Spider plant
The spider plant is cording to a NASA study, one of the most air-purifying plants out there. It also grows quickly, and it´s SO easy to take care of… what else do you need?!!
This plant can handle medium light conditions and prefers to dry out a little before watering so they can handle a bit of neglect.
They produce baby plants so fast that you will have your home full of babies in no time. You just have to cut them, root them in water, and when they have roots, pot them up.
Mine has white variegation (they can have it in the middle of the leaves or the laterals) though they can be all green and they still look gorgeous.
They like to be a bit root bound before repotting and I don’t think they mind much about the soil they are in. They can thrive almost anywhere! so don´t overthink it and give them a chance.
4. Ficus elastica
There are a few types of Ficus Elastica (I have a Ficus Tineke and a Ruby) but all of them have similar requirements. This tree is considered a houseplant but with time, it will outgrow your home.
They like bright indirect light. They can tolerate a little bit less, though they won´t grow as much.
With this plant, you will have to figure out when to water them, because they don´t tell you as easily as the others. But if you water them when you see that the top of the soil is dry (by sticking your finger in it a bit), you will have no problem.
In terms of soil, I have mine in a normal potting mix, with a bit of perlite. Not as much as I would like, but he seems to like it.
5. Aloe vera
Like any other succulent, Aloe is easy to take care of if you are not obsessed with watering your plants (as I am). Although I have found a way to retain myself from overwatering, and it´s by touching the leaves and not watering the plant until they have lost some of its turgor. This way I know when they really need to be watered (and I keep my compulsive mind away from root rotting my dear Aloe).
I’m mentioning Aloe Vera and not any other succulents because, in addition to its ease of care, they can be used as an excellent skin moisturizer.
So it’s a wonderful choice!
Originally published at TheGrowingPlants.com
